ZIMBABWE BEAT NEW ZEALAND BY 7 WICKETS

Zimbabwe beat New Zealand by seven wickets in Harare to claim their first one­ day international win over a Test ­playing team in almost a year.

Ross Taylor hit 112 not out as the tourists reached an imposing 303­ 4. But a blistering 130 off 108 balls from Craig Ervine, supported by 84 from Hamilton Masakadza, saw Zimbabwe to their target with six balls remaining.

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It was only Zimbabwe’s second ODI win of 2015, having failed to win any of their last 10 matches. The victory also marked only the second time that Zimbabwe have chased down more than 300 to win an ODI ­ with the first coming on the occasion of their last victory against New Zealand in Bulawayo in 2011.

New Zealand, captained by Kane Williamson in the absence of regular skipper Brendon McCullum, have now lost five of their last seven ODIs, having won the previous 11 in a row in reaching the World Cup final.